Window construction



Feb. 2, 1937. w w, EAGER 2,069,435

WINDOW. CONSTRUCTION Filed April 24, 1953 3 SheetS -Sheet 1 JIVVENTUL.WWEL-QEE'L JIJ'UENEY Feb. 2, 1937. w. w. EAGER WINDOW CONSTRUCTION FiledApril 24, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 WM iTTUJFNEY 6x2 a w AR 1! DE 6 7 6 TE i8 NE w m T 9 1 H W W L m M 7 W Hu m 7 j m 7 w a .n P 1 w v W {a g 7 as A1 f 7 J 2 a a r w 3 b/ x 7 9 w a 5 (a a. E 9 7y 1 1i g 4 W. W. EAGERWINDOW CONSTRUCTION Feb.-2, 1937.

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 24, 1933 QTTEIR EY Patented Feb. 2, 1937UNiTED STATES PATENT OFFlCE WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Calif.

Application April 24, 1933, Serial No. 667,627

8 Claims.

My invention relates to building construction, and more particularly tothe construction of windows.

An object of this invention is to provide a window of novel and greatlyimproved design possessed of many features of advantage in respect toillumination and ventilation, simplicity and economy of construction andinstallation, convenience of adjustment to regulate ventilationtherethrough, and the facility of cleansing both surfaces of the glassor other panes which constitute a portion of the window.

A more detailed object is to provide a window construction comprising aplurality of fixed sashes arranged in vertical alinement but with eachsash inclined from the vertical, thereby disposing the proximal edges ofeach two adjacent sashes in spaced relation to define a ventilatingaperture therebetween, and a tray disposed within each aperture andcarrying adjustable means for regulating the effective area of theaperture so as to control the amount of air permitted to circulatetherethrough.

A further object is to screen the window by 5 mounting suitableforaminous material upon each of the trays whereby even though there arescreened ventilating apertures providing for an equal or a greaterpassage of air than in the case of the conventional double-hung window,

vision through the window is through clear glass only, unhampered by anyscreens.

A still further object in this connection is to design the trays and tomount them in such a manner within their respective ventilatingapertures that they lie substantially horizontally and completelybetween the horizontal planes inter" sected by the top and bottom edgesof the rails at the proximal edges of the associated sashes, therebyleaving the entire area of the transparent portions of the windowunobstructed for free passage or light therethrough and maximumvisibility for persons looking through the window.

Another object is to attain maximum ventilation by disposing the severalsashes at such an 45 inclination that the greatest benefit is derivedfrom the upward currents of air which are practically always presentadjacent the outside wall of a building, whether that wall be on thewind- 5 ward or on the leeward side. This precise positioning oi thesashes assures not only that the maximum volume of air will be admitted,but it also results in inducing a much more efficient circulation of airwithin the room with which the window is associated but without anydrafts or objectionably strong air currents in any occupied portion ofthe room.

Another object of my invention is to provide a window construction ofthe general character described wherein the means for controllingventilation is in the form of a louver, one of which is carried by thetray in each of the several ventilating apertures, and wherein eachlouver is in the form of a plurality of parallel blades or vanes,pivotally mounted and so' interconnected that they all can be adjustedsimultaneously.

A further object is to mount each of the trays so that it can be removedfrom operative position simply by lifting it out of its associatedaperture, thereby permitting of ready access to the exterior surface ofthe proximal sash, and to provide an operating mechanism which isreleasably connected to all of the trays of a window in such a mannerthat it automatically becomes operatively engaged with each louver whenthe tray carrying that louver is dropped into operative position.

A still further object is to provide electrically operated means foradjusting simultaneously all of the louvers of a plurality of windowsand which is so arranged that a person can regulate the ventilationthrough any window or windows independently of the others or, bypressing a conveniently located button or its equivalent, open or closeall of the windows simultaneously.

Another object of my invention is to provide in a window construction aboxed lintel defining a passageway therethrough over the uppermost sashand establishing communication between the interior of the room and theexterior and through which circulation of air may be established withoutmoving the sash or sashes from their closed position.

The present inventive idea involved is capable of receiving a variety ofmechanical expressions, one of which, for the purpose of illustratingthe invention, is shown herewith. The invention possesses objects andadvantageous features in addition to those enumerated hereinabove,however, some of which will be set forth in the following description ofthe inventions particular embodiment which is illustrated in thedrawings accompanying and forming a part of the specification. It shouldbe understood that while these details will be described specificallyhereinafter, variation may be eifected within the scope of the inventionas claimed.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is an inside elevation of a window construction embodying theprinciples of the P esent invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken upon the line 2-2 of Figure 1with the direction of view as indicated. This figure shows the windowconstruction operatively mounted in a wall and is considerably enlargedthe better to disclose details of construction.

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation, the direction of view beingindicated by the arrow 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view somewhat enlarged and taken uponthe line 4-4 of Fig. 1 with the direction of View as indicated.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken throughone of the louver trays. The plane of section may be assumed to havebeen taken upon the line 55 of Fig. 4, with the direction of view asindicated.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken through a portion ofone of the louver trays and the associated jamb, the plane of sectionbeing taken upon the line 66 of Figs. 4 and 5, with the direction ofview as indicated.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged detail view in horizontal section illustratingthe electrical apparatus for operating the louvers. The plane of sectionis taken upon the line 1-4 of Fig. 3 and the direction of view by thearrows.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the manner of interconnectingelectrically a plurality of windows so that they all can be operatedsimultaneously.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken through aslightly modified form of louver tray and the adjacent portions of theassociated sashes.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but showing the louver tray inelevated position.

Fig. 11 is another view similar to Fig. 9, but showing another modifiedform of louver tray.

The frame ll of my improved window construction is preferably composedof steel, although I do not wish to be limited to this particularmaterial, and comprises a sill l2, jambs l3, and a lintel l4, each ofwhich is provided with a flange l6 and both of its inner and outer edgesin those types of construction which are to be used in conjunction withstucco l1 and the like. and plaster I8 (see Fig. 2). The inner face IQof the frame H is considerably longer than the outer face 2|; and thelintel I4 is of boxed construction, thus providing a passageway 22through the lintel l4 and over the uppermost sash 23. Preferably thispassageway 22 is defined by a plate 24, preferably integral with theframe I l and inclining outwards and downwards from adjacent the upperedge of the inner face [9 of the frame to the upper edge of the outerface 2| of the frame. In this manner a substantially horizontal opening26 is provided in the sofiit 21 of the lintel [4, this aperture 26 beingin communication by means of the passageway 22 with a vertical opening28 immediately above the upper edge of the topmost sash 23. Preferably agrill 29 or its equivalent is provided in the opening 28, this grillbeing pivotally mounted as by hinges 31 so as to permit access to theoutside surface of the pane 23 through the openings 28 and 26.

Within the frame H a plurality of sashes 23 are fixedly mounted; andwhereas the drawings illustrate but two such sashes within the frame H,it is to be understood that this number has been chosen simply forconvenience of illustration and that whatever number of sashes may bebest suited to any particular installation may be employed. Each ofthese sashes 23 comprises stiles 36 welded or otherwise permanentlyattached to the jambs i3 and interconnected by horizontal rails 31'. Thesashes 23 are disposed in vertical alinement with each other but eachsash 23 is disposed in an inclined plane, preferably sloping outwardsand downwards. This results in spacing the proximal rails 3'! ofadjacent sashes 23 so as to define a ventilating aperture 38therebetween. Moreover, each two adjacent sashes are in slightlyoverlapping relation, so that the lower rail 37 of the upper is inhorizontal alinement with the upper rail 31 of the lower sash. Theimportance of this detail is that it reduces to absolute minimum theamount of opaque material presented to the view of a person standinginside the room with which the window is associated. Obviously thisresults in increased visibility to a person so situated and in anincreased amount of light entering the room through the window. Anotheradvantage is that water running down the outside surface of the glass orother panes 39 which are carried by the sash frames cannot possiblyenter the room, inasmuch as it will drip from the lower edge of eachsash which is spaced outwards from and is disposed below the upper edgeof the next adjacent sash therebelow.

Although the sashes 23 are permanently and nonadjustably fixed to theframe H, adequate ventilation through the window is provided bycirculation of air through the ventilating apertures 88 and 26. Byincreasing the number of panes and inclining each more nearlyhorizontally, the number of ventilating apertures therebetween may beincreased. However, even in the case where a relatively few suchapertures are provided, suificient ventilation will be assured becauseof the fact that in order for air to enter the room with which thewindow is associated it must move in an upward and inward direction, andthis in the direction in which air is practically always moving at theouter surface of any building. It has been found that air seldom movesin a truly horizontal direction and that it tends to rise whenever itapproaches an obstacle in its path, such as a building. Accordingly, arelatively large volume of air will be caused to enter the ventilatingapertures 38 and 26 even on relatively still days, because the angularpositioning of the sashes 23 permits them to take full advantage of thedirection of the air currents in their immediate vicinity. However, thepositioning of the sashes 23 not only results in an increased amount ofair entering the room, but it also results in so directing the air thusentrapped that eificient circulation of the air inside the room isassured. All the air entering the room is moving upwards toward theceiling, thus tending to create a circulation of air upwards along thewall in which the window is mounted, toward the rear of the room alongthe ceiling, downwards along the rear wall and forwards again along thefloor. Moreover, although this circulation is very efiicient and createsample movement of the air in all portions or" the room, it is absolutelywithout draft or objectionable air currents in any portion of the room.

Means are provided for controlling the quantity of air permitted toenter through the ventilating apertures in the form of a tray 46removably seated within each of the apertures 23 and 25. Each tray 46comprises sidewalls l! substantially corresponding in length to thewidth of the window and retained in spaced parallel arrangement byendwalls 48, whereas the bottom of each tray 46 is defined by anysuitable foraminous member, such as a sheet of wire screening 49.Inasmuch as the tray 46 fits nicely within the associated ventilatingaperture 38 or 26 as the case might be, the screens 49 thus providedcover all the openings through which insects and the like might gainaccess to the room with which the window is associated, and yet thetotal area of the transparent panes 39 is left unobstructed so that aperson within the room is not required to look through any screen whenlooking out of the window.

The means for positioning the screen 49 in each of the trays 46comprises a flange on the inner surface of each of the walls 41 and 48spaced upwards slightly from the extreme lower edges of those walls.This permits the lower edges of the end walls 48 to seat behind cleats52 which are riveted or otherwise permanently attached to the jambs l3so as to support the tray 46 in operative position. Similarly, a flange53 inclines upwards and inwards from the lower rail 31 of each sash 23and another flange 54 inclines upwards and outwards from the upper railof each sash 23; and these flanges 53 and 54 are adapted to be engagedby the lower edges of the sidewalls 4! of the associated tray, as bestshown upon Fig. 2. Preferably the sidewalls 4'! are disposed at an anglewith the screen 49 corresponding to the angle of each of the sashes 39with the horizontal. Moreover, the parts are so proportioned andarranged that when each tray is in operative position within itsassociated ventilating aperture 38 or 26 as the case might be, it liessubstantially entirely between the two horizontal planes which includethe upper and lower edges of the proximal rails 31 of the adjacentsashes 23. The importance of this feature is that the entire tray isconcealed behind the rail 31 which is nearest to a person lookingthrough the window, with the result that the trays 46 themselves ofierno obstruction whatsoever to vision through the window.

Each end 48 of each tray 46 is provided with a bead 56 adjacent theupper edge thereof and the beads 56 at opposite ends of each tray are inalinement, thereby offering convenient means for pivotally mounting aplurality of louver blades or vanes 51, as clearly shown upon Fig. 6.These blades 5'! are adapted to be moved into parallel overlappingarrangement as in Figs. 5 and 6 wherein they effectively show theassociated ventilating aperture, or to be swung to more nearly verticalposition, as illustrated in Fig. 2 wherein they permit of substantiallyunrestricted passage of air through the associated atmosphere. In orderto quiet the operation of the vanes 5! I prefer that each edge of eachvane be formed with a groove 58, and that the groove 58 at one edge ofeach vane carry a strip 56 of suitable packing material, such aswicking, which is adapted to be engaged by an edge of the next adjacentvane when the louver is closed.

, Moreover, the same type of contact is established between theoutermost edges of the two outer blades and the edges of the walls 41 ofthe associated tray 46. Hence, not only is relatively noiselessoperation secured, but also a tight seal is established to preventcirculation of any air whatsoever when the window is closed.

Each of the blades 51 is provided with a lever 6i extending rigidlydownwards therefrom and pivoted as by a screw 62 to a horizontal link63, whereby all the levers 6| of the associated tray 46 areinterconnected. Hence by longitudinal reciprocation of the link 63 all01 the blades 51 of that tray can optionally be swung from closed tofully opened position or any intermediate position and by reversemovement of the link 63 they may be swung to closed position.

Means are provided for interconnecting the blades 5'! of all the trays46 of a window, so that all the louvers may be adjusted simultaneously.This operating means comprises a rod 64 mounted for rotary motion insidethe hollow jamb 13 at one side of the window and extending from top tobottom thereof. Brackets 66 afixed to the jamb l3 provide the means forjournaling the rod 64. Immediately above each of the cleats 52 on thatjamb I3 an opening 61 is formed in the jamb and through each of theseopenings 6i a plate 68 carried by the rod 64 extends. Each of theseplates 68 has a notch 69 formed in its periphery providing a socketwithin which a pin H carried by the associated link 63 is seated. Thusit may be seen that by turning the rod 64 all the plates 63 may beturned and through the interconnection established by the pins H seatedwithin the sockets 66 all the links 63 will be reciprocated, thusimparting the rotary motion to the blades 5'! which is necessary tosecure their adjustment. Each pin ll seats loosely within its associatedsocket 66, the purpose being to permit the pin H to drop into its socket69 as the associated tray 46 moves into operative position. This permitsfacile assembly of the device and removal of any of the trays withouthaving to pay any attention whatever to securing proper engagementbetween each tray and the means whereby the louver blades thereof areoperated.

An operating lever 13 is secured to the rod 64 adjacent the lower endthereof and extends through an opening 14 in the jambi3 so as to permitfacile turning of the rod 64 whereby adjustment of the effective area ofall of the ventilating apertures of a window is attained. However, Ialso prefer to provide electrically operated means for performing thissame function, for which purpose the electrical apparatus illustrated indetail upon Figure 7 is employed. This apparatus I6 comprises a pair ofopposed solenoids T! in axial alinement, the armatures 78 of which arerigidly interconnected by a cylindrical portion 19 of preferablynon-magnetic material. A sector gear 6| is mounted upon the upper end ofthe operating rod 64 and is enmeshed with suitably formed indentations62 in the cylindrical portion 19, the result being that when thearmatures F8 are reciprocated rotary motion is imparted to the rod 64.One of the great conveniences resulting from the use of the electricaloperating mechanism 16 is that it permits instant opening or closing ofall of the windows of a room from any convenient location. For example,the control switches can be mounted in the wall of the room adjacent thedoor which is most frequently used when entering or leaving that roomand adjacent to the switch whereby the heating system for that room iscontrolled if such apparatus be employed. This permits a person to turnon the heat and close all the windows instantaneously or to shut off theheat and open all the windows, or to operate either the windows or theheating apparatus independently of the other. However, in View of thefact that the armatures 18 are free to move within their respectivesolenoids ll when no current is passing through the latter, it is aneasy matter for each of the several windows to be opened or closed bymeans of the individual operating levers I3 which are provided, withoutdisturbing the adjustment of the other windows. Noiseless operation ofthe electrical apparatus I6 is assured by positioning a pad 83 ofcushioning material in position to be engaged by each armature I8 as itreaches its outer extreme of movement. Preferably each of these pads 83is carried by an adjustable plunger 84, whereby the length of the strokeof the armatures I8 may be regulated.

The electrical apparatus I6 for each window preferably is carried by aplate 86 which is removably secured to the associated jamb I3 as byscrews in l. The housing 88 wherein the apparatus I6 is inclosed and ispreferably of cylindrical form is affixed to the inner side of the plate86 so that the apparatus 16 is concealed inside the hollow jamb I3 whenin operative position but is capable of being readily removed for thepurpose of inspection, repair or adjustment.

Fig. 8 indicates a convenient method of establishing the necessaryelectrical interconnection between the electrical apparatus I6 of aplurality of windows so that they all can be operated from a singleremote point. From a suitable source of electrical energy, such as anordinary residential transformer EJI one of the main leads 92 isconnected to one terminal of each of the solenoids 1! of the entiresystem, there being two such solenoids for each window as hereinabovedescribed. The other main lead 93 from the transformer 9| is connectedby conductors 94 and 96 to control switches 91 and 98, which, ashereinabove stated, preferably are mounted in the wall of the room inthe most convenient location. The switch 91 is connected as byconductors IIlI and I92 to all of the solenoids ll, energization ofwhich results in opening the louvers of the windows which are includedwithin the system, whereas the switch 98 is connected by conductors I03and I04 to the other solenoids H, i. e., to those solenoids 'IIenergization of which results in closing all the louvers.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate a slightly modified form of louver tray IIIwhich seats within its associated ventilating aperture II2 between theproximal rails H3 and H4 of the adjacent sashes H6, and which is adaptedto be removed therefrom by pivoting upwards against the upper of theassociated two sashes. Inasmuch as the principal reason for removing atray from its associated ventilating aperture is to permit a person tothrust his arm through the opening so as to clean the outside surface ofthe pane immediately below that opening, it is desirable, when a pivotedtray is used, to make the tray collapsible, so that when raised it is ofsuch reduced thickness that it does not interfere when thrusting an armthrough the opening H2. Accordingly the bottom II! of the tray III isnot connected to the end walls IIB, but is hinged along its longitudinaledges II9 to the front and rear walls I2I and I22 respectively. Theupper edge of each of the front and rear walls I2I and 22 is rolledadjacent each end thereof as indicated at I23 so as to retain a pintleI24. The ends of each of the pintles I24 are seated in suitable socketsin the upper corners of the end walls I I8, so that the front and rearwalls I2I and I22 respectively and the bottom wall II! are free to movewith respect to the end walls I I8. The louver blades I26 are carried bypintle rods I 27, which also are seated in the end walls H8, andpreferably these louver blades are constructed similarly to the louverblades 57, described hereinabove, and are similarly operated by means oflevers I28 and a link I29, carrying a pin I3! which is adapted to seatwithin a socket I32 in a plate I33 carried by an operating rod (notshown). The rear wall I22 is afiixed as by a plurality of screws I36 tothe lower rail I I4 of the uppermost of the two sashes I I6 which dividethe associated ventilating aperture II2, the result being that when itis desired to remove the tray III from the aperture II2 it is necessaryonly to swing the tray upwards by grasping a handle I37 which preferablyis rigid with the front wall I2I and which overlies the upper rail II3of the lower of the two associated sashes. As this upward swinging ofthe tray occurs, it will collapse, positioning the bottom I ll of thetray closely adjacent or in actual contact with the surface of thelouver blades I26. The levers I 28 extend downwards past the ends of thebottom wall II'I so that they do not interfere with this motion of thebottom wall and front and side walls.

The bottom wall II! is preferably a rectangular frame providing amarginal support for a foraminous member such as a wire screen I II,which, when the tray II I is in lowered or operative position,effectively screens the entire associated ventilating aperture I I2.

Should the louver blades I 26 be in open position when the tray i I I israised, their lower edges will be contacted by the bottom wall I" as thetray collapses causing the louver blades I26 to swing to their closedposition and without damage to any of the tray structure. This, ofcourse, will move the link I29 and the pin I3I in such a manner thatwhen the tray is again lowered into operative position the pin I3I willnot be in registry with the socket I 32 in the operating plate I33 andwill consequently come into contact with the upper surface of the plate.This, of course, will prevent the tray III from returning all the way toits operative position; as soon as the operating rod (not shown) isturned so as to move the plate I 33 and thereby bring the socket I32into registry with the pin ISI the pin will drop into the socket and thetray will seat in its operative position without any further attentionon the part of the operator.

If desired, means may be provided for releasably locking the tray III inoperative position. Such locking means are conveniently afforded bymeans of a button M6 mounted in the upper edge of the rail H3 andadapted to slide laterally so as optionally to seat within or be removedfrom a notch in the side of the handle I37.

Fig. ll shows a still further modified form of collapsible tray II,wherein the louver blades I52 instead of being mounted for movementabout axes intermediate the lateral edges of the blades, are adapted toswing about axes at the after edges of the blades. Accordingly when theblades IE2 swing to open position i. e., to the dotted line positionillustrated on Figure 11, no portions of the blades I52 are caused toswing downwards and for this reason the screen I53 can be placed muchcloser to the axes about which the louver blades 252 turn. Hence thetray I 5| is much shallower than any of those hereinabove described andcomprises quite narrow end walls I54 in which the rods I56 carrying thelouver blades IE2 are seated. The front and rear walls I5! and IE8respectively are preferably considerablv wider than the end walls butonly for the purpose of facilitating proper seating of the tray in theassociated ventilating aperture I59. The front and rear walls I51 andI58 are hinged to the bottom wall I6! as by piano hinges I62, therebypermitting the bottom wall Nil to swing upwards against the rear wallI58 and the front wall IE! to swing into substantial planer alinementwith the bottom wall ltl when the tray is in elevated position,

It will be observed that each of these modified forms of trays carrylouver blades which are cushioned from each other and from the walls ofthe tray itself by padding material. In Figure 9 the upper edge of thefront wall i2? is provided with a yoke construction, except at the endsthereof, where the pintle pins I25 are carried. In other words, thisyoke construction extends throughout the major portion of the length ofthe front wall l2! between the ends thereof. This yoke constructionprovides a convenient seat for a strip lfifi of wicking or othersuitable padding material. Another strip it! of wicking is seated in agroove which is formed by reversely bending the upper edge of the rearwall E22; and another strip M28 is seated in a similarly formed groovein the forward edge of each of the blades E26, this strip being adaptedto become releasably engaged within a complementary shaped groove formedin the after edge of the next adjacent blade. In Figure 11 such a grooveill is formed in the forward edge of each blade i?! and within each ofthese grooves a strip N2 of padding is adapted to become seated when thelouver blades move to closed position, these strips I12 being preferablyof crescent-shaped cross section and affixed to the rolled portion ofthe next adjacent blade within which the pivot rod E56 of that blade isdisposed.

Thus it may be seen that I have provided a novel design of windowconstruction by means of which a greater amount of light is admittedthan through a conventionally constructed window of the same area andthrough the use of which a more efficient ventilation and aircirculation are attained. Although the louvers are so inconspicuous asto be practically invisible to persons looking through the window, theyoperate with the highest einciency in optionally admitting a maximumflow of air or in tightly sealing the ventilating apertures. Moreover,the specific design of mechanism for operating the louvers which hasbeen hereinabove described requires such little effort and such a shortthrow that it lends itself with especial efficiency for use inconjunction with electrical controls in which solenoids provide themotivating influence. This is a desirable type of actuating member forthis use, for it can be operated on a relatively low current therebyavoiding the necessity for the use of conduit, which of course reducesthe cost of installation without impairment of the efiiciency thereof.

I claim:

1. In a window construction, a plurality of fixedly mounted sashesspaced to define substantially horizontal ventilating aperturestherebetween, a tray removably disposed within each of said apertures, aplurality of blades pivotally mounted in each of said trays, a leverextending from each of said blades, a link pivoted to all of said leversin each tray to hold the associated blades in parallel planes, anoperating rod extending adjacent all of said trays, a plate disposedadjacent each of said links and mounted rigidly upon said operating rod,each of said plates having a socket, a pin rigid with each of said linksand adapted to move intooperative engagement within the associatedsocket when the associated tray seats Within its associated ventilatingaperture, each of said plates having means retaining the associated pinoperatively disengaged therefrom until the blades of the associated trayoccupy positions corresponding to theposition of the other bladesoperatively connected to their associated plates, and means for movingsaid rod.

2. In a ventilation-controlling device, a removably mounted dampermember adjustable while in mounted position to regulate flow therepast,an operating member for adjusting said damper member from a remote pointand comprising a rod mounted for rotary movement and extending adjacentsaid damper member, a plate carried by said rod having a slot therein, apin operably connected to said damper member and removably seated insaid slot, and means retaining said pin operatively disengage-d fromsaid plate except when said operating member is in predeterminedposition with respect to said damper member.

3. In a ventilation-controlling device, a tray adapted to seat within aventilating aperture and comprising a side wall fixedly mounted at oneside of said aperture, a free side wall spaced therefrom, a bottom wallhaving an opening therein and pivoted along the bottom edges of saidside walls, end walls pivoted to said side walls only at points adjacenttheir upper corners, and a top wall comprising a plurality of louverblades extending between said end walls and pivotally mounted thereinwhereby they are adapted to lie optionally in spaced, parallel planes orin a continuous, substantially fiat plane, said tray being adapted tocollapse by swinging upwards about said fixed side wall to bring saidbottom wall closely adjacent said top wall.

4. In a ventilation-controlling device, a tray adapted to seat within aventilating aperture and comprising a side wall fixedly mounted at oneside of said aperture, a free side wall spaced therefrom, a bottom Wallhaving an opening therein and pivoted along the bottom edges of saidside walls, end walls pivoted to said side walls only at points adjacenttheir upper corners, and a top wall comprising a plurality of louverblades extending between said end walls and pivotally mounted thereinwhereby they are adapted to lie optionally in spaced, parallel planes orin a continuous, substantially fiat plane, said tray being adapted tocollapse by swinging upwards about said fixed side wall to bring saidbottom wall closely adjacent said top wall, and means operable when saidtray is in lowered position for adjusting said louver blades to selectedposition.

5. In a ventilation-controlling device, a tray adapted to seat within aventilating aperture, said tray being pivotally mounted along one edgethereof at one side of said aperture and adapted to be withdrawn. fromsaid aperture by swinging about the axis of its pivotal mounting, aplurality of louver blades pivotally mounted in said tray and adapted,when said tray is seated within said aperture, to close the aperture bymoving into a substantially continuous plane extending thereacross or toopen the aperture by swinging into spaced, parallel planes, means apartfrom said tray for operating said louver blades, and means engageablewhen said tray is seated for connecting said blades to such operatingmeans.

6. In a ventilation controlling device, a frame pivotally mounted withina ventilating aperture, and adapted to be withdrawn from said apertureby swinging about the axis of its pivotal mounting, a plurality oflouver blades pivotally mounted in said frame and adapted when saidframe is seated within said aperture to close the aperture by lying inoverlapping relationship or to open the aperture by moving into spaced,substantially parallel relationship.

7. In a ventilation controlling device, a frame adapted to seat within aventilating aperture, said frame being pivotally mounted along one edgethereof at one side of said aperture and adapted to be withdrawn fromsaid aperture by swinging about the axis of its pivotal mounting, saidframe defining an opening, a screen carried by said frame and extendingacross said opening, a plurality of louver blades pivotally mounted insaid frame and adapted when said frame is seated within said aperture toclose the aperture by lying in overlapping relationship or to open theaperture by moving into spaced, substantially parallel relationship.

8. In a device for controlling flow through a plurality of apertures, aframe removably receivable within each of said apertures,flow-controlling means adjustably mounted on each of said frames, meansremote from all of said frames and operable to adjust all of saidflow-controlling means simultaneously, and means disengageablyconnecting each of said flow-controlling means to said adjusting means,said connecting means comprising a rotatable plate operably connected tosaid flow-controlling means and having a recess therein, and a pinoperably connected to said adjusting means to be moved thereby andreceivable Within said recess to turn said plate when said adjustingmeans is operated, said pin being adapted to ride under said plate whendisengaged from said recess whereby engagement between said adjustingmeans and each of said flow-controlling means is avoided until thatflowcontrolling means is in predetermined position with relation to theothers.

WESLEY W. EAGER.

